Safety First: How to Safely Operate Your Drone Camera and Avoid Common Pitfalls?

Drones have been the talk of the town for a long time and have transformed the way videography and photography are done worldwide. Aerial shots and footage provide perspectives that were once only possible with an aircraft. Drones can help you capture a bird' s-eye view at a fraction of the cost. However, drone flying has its own challenges, which need to be mitigated. As drone photography continues to become popular, it’s vital for photographers and videographers to be aware of the issues often faced by drone pilots.

Whether you are a fresh face to drone photography or looking to advance your skills, being conscious of these challenges can help avoid potential pitfalls and guarantee your flights are safe. Here are some of the common issues that drone pilots experience and what drone photographers should be well aware of the same.

Talking about one of the most common issues faced by drone pilots is signal interference or loss of GPS. This can take place for a number of reasons, for example, flying in the close vicinity of cell towers, power lines, or even in urban areas with many wireless signals. Signal interference can cause the drone to lose connection with the controller, leading to unpredictable flight behaviour or, if it is not your day, a flyaway where the drone goes out of range.

What is to be Done?

Before the start of the flight, one should make sure that the drone’s GPS signal is robust and that one is flying in an area with negligible interference. Evade flying near big metal structures or in areas where there is heavy wireless activity.

The battery life of a drone is significant in all drone applications, and photography and videography also do not hold back. Many drones can fly around half an hour, significantly reduced in windy conditions or with more and more camera usage. If the drone's battery is not managed well and runs out during the flight, it can cause a crash landing, damaging the apparatus of a drone. So, drone pilots need to be cautious about managing the battery well.

What Should Be Done?

The batteries should always be kept fully charged before the drone's takeoff, and the battery level should be monitored throughout the flight. The flight path should be planned in advance, and you should be conscious of how much life is left in the battery and when you need to return to the takeoff point safely. Spare batteries should always be kept up the sleeve, and one should not fly in extreme conditions that can drain the battery at a much rapid rate.

Weather always has to be taken care of, when we talk about drone photography or videography. Winds, fog, rain, and extreme temperatures can blow up the safety and performance of the drone. When the winds are blowing full-throttle, they can disrupt the balance of the drone, while rain can harm all the sensitive electronic components. Visibility can be limited by dense fog, which makes it hard to keep track of obstacles, and extreme temperatures can have a bad impact on the battery life. If the battery runs out during flight, there can be a crash landing of the drone.

What Should be Done?

Weather conditions and forecasts should always be tracked down before getting ready to fly a drone for videography or photography. Evade flying in rain or winds, and always be mindful of temperature extremes. If there is some sort of indecision about the weather conditions, it is advisable to postpone the flight for another day.

With the continuous increase in drone popularity, the DGCA has laid down strict regulations regarding where and how drones should be flown. Flying in constrained areas, for example, near military bases, airports, or crowds, can get you in big trouble, and it could result in hefty fines or legal action. The rules and regulations and the knowledge about the division of the zones should not be overlooked if you are to fly drones, abiding by all the regulations.

What should be Done?

Remember to get well-versed in the rules and regulations about drone piloting laid down by regulatory bodies. Many drone apps provide actual info about restricted areas. Constantly keep the drone within the permissible altitude limit and avoid flying over private property without permission. Getting proper certification can also keep the pilot away from any kind of legal issues.

Obstacle avoidance systems are a common feature in many drones today, but like any technology, they are not foolproof. There can be crashes with buildings, trees, or power lines, mainly when flying in low light, where sensors might not detect obstacles. Also, some drones miss sensors on all sides, which makes them susceptible to crashes and collisions.

What should be Done?

Comprehend the limits of your drone’s obstacle avoidance system and do not solely rely on it. Constantly fly carefully and uphold a visual line of sight to manually evade obstacles. When flying in intricate environments, do not hesitate to use a slower flight mode, which gives more control and time to respond to potential hazards.

While drone videography and photography provide exhilarating opportunities to capture exclusive perspectives, it is very important to be conscious of the common challenges that drone pilots face, especially in terms of safety. By being ready for the challenges, it can be certain that there are no safety concerns for drones during flights. Be mindful of the proficiencies, regulations, and conditions to ensure that photography and videography are done right and safely.

It is very important to be trained in the handling of drones to have a safe flight. To become a certified drone pilot, search for a reputed training institute. When looking for a reputed training institute, Flapone Aviation is right up the ladder. So, come to us and start flying.